What is the best paint for patios? As winter comes to a close, it’s time to go outside and get stuck into some exterior painting. Our outdoor surfaces look worse for wear after months of rain, wind, and even snow in some areas. Patios are no different; they deserve a freshen-up before summer. Today we’re going to talk all about patio paint and painting patios, so you can make yours look their best.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Painting patio slabs is a great way to make them look newer and improve the look of your outdoor areas.
- Concrete paint is the best for most patios, protecting the surface from wear and weather.
- If you prefer the more natural stone look, our block paving sealer is perfect for patio slabs!
- Follow our guide for the best results!
Should I Paint Patios?
If you have patio slabs in your garden, or have paths around your home, they often look worn out after a few years. Keeping them clean helps remove a lot of surface level dirt and grime, but after a while their colour will look faded even when freshly jet washed.
Painting your patio slabs won’t just make them look better either. Quality patio paint and primer adds layers of protection to the stone surface, making them more resistant to harsh conditions and even easier to clean!
Overall, painting patio tiles will improve the kerb appeal of your home and are one more thing to be proud of when you have guests over for barbeques and parties in summer.
The Best Paint for Patios
Since patio slabs are made of stone, similar to exterior walls, you’d think standard masonry paint would work for patios. This is not the case.
Masonry paints are designed for vertical brick and stone surfaces. This means that it provides little protection from standing water, which patio slabs need to resist. Even waterproof masonry paint shouldn’t be used on patios.
Most masonry paint doesn’t resist regular footfall either and will therefore wear away quickly compared to specialist patio paint, even with an additional layer of primer.
The best choice for patios is exterior concrete paint. These not only provide excellent protection for patios, but can also be used for driveways, paths, and other exterior stone.
Our high-quality concrete paint contains polyurethane. This provides excellent abrasion resistance, as well as making the surface fully waterproof. It is available in a range of shades and sheens, so you can complement the rest of your garden and express your style.
Paving Sealer for Patios
The product we personally recommend the most for painting patios isn’t a paint. Our oil-based block paving sealer is a treatment that provides much better protection against weather and standing water.
This block paving sealer is clear, meaning it lets the natural texture of the slabs show through. If you prefer the classic stone look for your patio, look no further than our paving sealer.
One issue that can occur from painting patios is the surface becoming more slippery. If this is something you’re concerned about, mix our block paving sealer with silver sand or builder’s sand. This will give you plenty of traction without ruining the finish.
How to Paint a Patio – Patio Painting Guide
Once you’ve chosen the perfect paint for your patio, you need to be sure you’re doing things right.
As always when painting outside, you need to plan around the weather. The type of paint and primer you use will affect drying times; be sure to consult the manufacturer’s instructions for their recommendations. As a rule, a couple of back-to-back dry days with low wind is ideal for exterior painting.
When you’ve chosen the perfect time, here’s what you’ll need to paint your patio:
- Patio Paint
- Exterior Primer
- Exterior Paint brush
- Long-Pile Roller
- Exterior Filler & Sandpaper*
- Degreaser
*May only be required for some patio slabs – more info below
Once you have everything you need, clear the area around your patio so you have plenty of room to work with. You can use dust sheets if there are any other surfaces nearby you want to protect from splashes of paint.
STEP 1 – How to Prepare Patio Slabs for Painting
The most important thing to do before you start painting your patio is to clean the surface as thoroughly as possible. Any dirt, grime, or imperfections will show through even multiple layers of paint, so your patio slabs need to be spotless before you move on.
A powerful degreaser will remove even the toughest grime from the surface, especially if you use a jet wash.
When cleaning your patio slabs, you may find cracks and damage in your slabs. Make sure you repair these imperfections, as they can ruin the look of your patio if ignored. Exterior filler is great for small cracks and will make your patio slabs look like new.
If the surface is looking worn, you can try sanding the surface. This will not only remove very stubborn dirt but will give your primer and paint a smooth stone surface to cling to.
STEP 2 – How to Prime Patio Slabs
The exterior paint you use may be self-priming, which means an extra layer of primer isn’t essential. However, we recommend always using primer as it adds protection to the surface, extending its longevity.
If you do decide to prime, add a single even coat to the surface using your brush and/or roller. Overlap each stroke to ensure you don’t miss any areas.
Leave it to dry before you move on.
STEP 3 – How to Paint Patio Slabs
Now for the fun part.
To paint patio slabs, you’ll need to create a basecoat first. This is a thin layer that bonds to the primer and is designed to secure the surface and make the next layer(s) look bolder. Think of it like whitewashing a canvas before you paint.
A long pile roller is the perfect tool for painting patio slabs, as it can fill bumps and cracks with paint and create an even finish. You can then use your brush to paint the edges of the slabs, and any tricky to reach areas.
Once the basecoat is dry (usually taking around 12 hours), apply a second, thicker layer. This will be your topcoat, which will create a bold colour and finish for your slabs.
Leave it to dry and avoid walking on the patio for at least 24 hours so the surface can cure properly.
STEP 4 – Admire your Work
Once the final layer has dried, take a step back and admire your freshly painted patio. How does it look?
Not only will the surface be the perfect colour and sheen, but it’ll also look great for a long time.
The UK’s Most Trusted Paint Supplier
If you’re hosting any outdoor parties in spring or summer, or just want to give your garden a freshen-up, painting patios is a great place to start. By following our guide, you’re guaranteed to get fantastic results, and the products we provide are the best around.
We’re the no.1 choice for tradespeople, with large quantities of paint available at competitive prices, and we’re loved by domestic painters too!
Check out our blog for more information, advice and guides about all things painting. If you have any questions about any of our products, please get in touch.
We look forward to hearing from you.
FAQ's
Can you jet wash painted slabs?
Quality concrete patio paint is designed to repel water and withstand harsh weather for years after the paint has dried. This means that it’s safe to jet wash your patio slabs, helping them to look their best.
Can you paint over existing patio paint?
If the previous layer of paint isn’t peeling or flaky, it’s fine to paint over it. If it is loose, remove it thoroughly before you add a new layer, so that the paint and primer have a smooth surface to cling to.
Do I need to prime my patio before painting?
By priming your patio before you paint, you add extra protection to the surface. This will help it repel standing water and keep the slabs looking good for years. Some paints contain a priming agent already, but an extra layer will maximise your patio’s lifespan.
Does painting patio slabs last?
If you pair your patio paint with a quality primer, your slabs will look good for up to five years. This saves you money in the long run and means you won’t have to replace your patio any time soon.
Is painting a patio a good idea?
Painting patio tiles is a great way to make your paths or patios look as good as new, without needing to rip them up and replace them. Quality patio paint will also protect the surface, making the tiles look better for longer.
What is the best paint for a patio?
The best patio paint protects the slabs from standing water. This means that standard masonry paint won’t do the job, and you need a specialist paint for the best results. Our concrete paint ensures maximum protection against the elements, no matter how exposed your patio is.